A Review on Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Water and Consumer Products
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66132/mr010204Keywords:
Perfluoroalkyl substances, Drinking water contamination, Exposure pathways, Analytical methods, Remediation technologies, Persistent pollutantsAbstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a wide range of synthetic fluorinated chemicals, most commonly known for their persistence and ubiquitous presence in the environment, and the potential for adverse health effects. We present a review of the studies (2015-2025) on the chemistry, environmental occurrence, analyses, remediation and regulation of PFAS, using a synthesis approach based on PRISMA. After an extensive search of the literature in the main scientific databases and agencies, over 480 reports were found relevant to this review. PFAS are more than 15,000 chemicals with different physical-chemical properties that influence their environmental fate, transport and accumulation. Using sophisticated analytical techniques, micro contamination can be detected at extremely low levels (ng/L) in water, food and humans. Traditional removal methods, such as granular activated carbon and ion exchange, are highly efficient for long-chain PFAS, but short-chain PFAS are very mobile and difficult to remove. New techniques for destruction, such as plasma destruction and supercritical water oxidation, guarantee higher than 99% degradation under laboratory conditions. Regulation is getting tougher with improved drinking water quality standards and the introduction of a management class system. However, monitoring ability and regulatory actions are not standardised. This review highlights the knowledge gaps and the need for the scalable remediation technologies, global regulatory harmonisation to reduce the long-term risks of PFAS, and the application of the essential use framework for effective mitigation of risks of PFAS.
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